Folsom’ is a combination of recycled denim and sturdy hemp. Both are combined to weave this amazing rug which has the charm of a gypsy as well as a class of an intellectual…reports Asian Lite News
Here are some recycled products, carefully crafted by The Rug Republic to bring style and sustainability together. Each item in this collection is made from recycled materials, giving them a unique and eco-friendly appeal.
CARRUM RUG-PET
Perfect for any backyard, patio, deck, or poolside, this stylish rug is a practical addition to any outdoor or indoor living space. Hand-woven in PET, this easy-care rug is also well-suited for high-traffic areas. Not to miss the rug’s price point, that makes it a must-have piece! More than 300 plastic bottles are recycled to make one of these!
FOLSOM RUG – DENIM/ HEMP
Folsom’ is a combination of recycled denim and sturdy hemp. Both are combined to weave this amazing rug which has the charm of a gypsy as well as a class of an intellectual. This would be perfect when paired with blues or neutrals and even look great with industrial style decor.
BILBAO RUG – RECYCLED FABRIC Vibrant, Creative, Eco-friendly – made from recycled fabric, the ‘Bilbao’ rug is a masterpiece which has been a big hit in global floor fashion since 2015. An eye catcher with a ‘story and a soul’. This is the kind of rug which will set your room apart and give you comfort in both warm and cold weather.
TURON BAR STOOL – RECYCLED FABRIC Do the basic and flat looking bar stools bore you, no matter how elegant they look? Let the style alarm get loud with our Turon Bar Stool. Add this vibrant multi-colored stool to create an edgy and out-of-the-box decor setting. The recycled fabric used for the stool makes sure to make it a bigger hero for the new age sustainable homes.
Anita Dongre’s recently released vegan accessories and jewellery are displayed on the ground level next to specially created wallpaper inspired by her embroidery designs…reports Asian Lite News
A cheerful yellow structure with gleaming teak balconies that reflect the sun’s light through a variety of stained-glass designs is located across the street from the Jehangir Art Gallery and the iconic David Sassoon library. The historic Sassoon Building now houses Anita Dongre’s newest flagship store — a love letter to craft, an embrace of a bygone period, and a celebration of old meeting new-after being transformed by the designer’s vision and a year of architectural attention.
Says Dongre, “Bombay is my home, and the Sassoon building has witnessed every change of this city. In restoring this building we wanted to keep as much of its original form as we could- stained glass windows, timber beams and staircase, the tiles… I wanted to bring back the luxury of the 19th century and have it meet the effortless grace of the 21st century. It’s been a particular joy to realise a vision that mixes Indian crafts with colonial architecture against art that celebrates nature’s bounty. I’m excited to watch people experience this space through all their senses — sight, smell, touch, and heart.”
A fashionable oasis of tranquility in Kalaghoda
Expect a sense of calm to overtake you as you open the ground level doors. Set foot on the distinctive black and white marble flooring designed by Anita Dongre, inhale the rose aroma, and gaze at the lush green and gold handpainted pichhwai walls that support 200-year-old exposed teak beams as you escape the busy Dalal Street. An “otla” — style open verandah with original cast iron railings and stained glass made in the same patterns the Sassoon building displayed in the 1800s peeks down at you from the level above. Rajasthani jharokhas surround this verandah.
Anita Dongre’s recently released vegan accessories and jewellery are displayed on the ground level next to specially created wallpaper inspired by her embroidery designs.
The Sassoon building originally had a plain ground floor and three upper levels that were reached by a beautiful timber stairway. After passing rich gold pichhwai nature scenes painted against an emerald green base, you will ascend to the first level on this lovely teak staircase that has recently been restored. Grassroot and the ready-to-wear line are located on this level, which also contains 200-year-old metal and timber frames and craft stories.
Menswear is displayed on the second level against hand-painted pichhwai walls in grey and gold. Behind a wall of lush verdant plants, light streams through the balcony doors. The balconies were only added, as can be seen in old photos of this structure, after the fort walls were taken down around 1865. The lavish wooden balcony structure is supported by cast iron columns with Corinthian caps, which are lined with glazed tiles. The wooden balconies were revived, stained glass was carefully recreated from old photographs, and original tiles were saved while new ones were made to match the pattern during the restoration of this level. Enjoy a priceless amenity here: a calm gallery to observe the passing of time. Take in the Rajabai clocktower and the many architectural wonders of Kalaghoda.
The feeling of luxury that this building’s high ceilings, wooden floors, and pools of light evoke is amplified by triptych mirrors. The third level, also known as the bridal floor, offers the ultimate indulgence. As you ascend the grand stairway, you can see the domed timber roof, which is now just out of your grasp. Richly embroidered lehengas in pools of theatrical light and a tikri wall that transports you into ballrooms and castles greet you when the doors open.
What women want. (Photo: anitadongre/Instagram)
Dongre’s newest flagship store in the heart of Mumbai’s art district – Kalaghoda is proof of how the forgotten can find a place in our modern world- whether craft, architecture, or a way of life. From hand-embroidered cushions and elephants embroidered on sheer curtains, to restored metal and woodwork, and tiles and stained glass that recreate the grandeur of “Bombay” before the fort walls went down, every inch of the 8500 square feet of Sassoon Building is given a new lease on life while celebrating the inherent and original elements of luxury. As you walk out of this experience, you’ll carry with you a feeling of tranquility and freedom.
Today world is talking about sustainability, responsible consumption, circularity, and ethics, but our craft sector has been practicing this for thousands of years…reports Asian Lite News
Chapter Four of India Craft Week (ICW) by Craft Village, a citywide celebration of the greatest craftsmanship, returns from 20 to 23 October 2022 at Okhla NSIC Ground, New Delhi, connecting art, design, and culture. The show will feature organizations, brands, institutions, designers, craftspeople, artisans, craftpreneurs, and makers from India and around the world. Live demos, seminars, cross-talks, installations, galleries, and film screenings are all part of the ICW experience.
This year’s topic is one of life’s most essential components, water. Additionally, it is thought that each craft developed and flourished in areas with access to or near water features, such as lakes or “Dariya.” Few people are aware of the unspoken link that Craft and Water have had ever since civilizations first emerged. This year’s theme emphasizes the value of water as a resource for surviving and existing. A commitment to protect undersea life by conserving water and not polluting it. The underwater realm is significant because of its mystique, surprises, vibrant hues, and natural forms. The largest source of inspiration has been marine life, which is also a powerful metaphor for a world that is beginning to respect the sustainable culture, the “slow life,” and organic goods.
More than 100 craftsmen, producers, craft companies, museums, organizations, and figureheads will attend the show, which is billed as India’s official craft week and the world’s second-largest craft week after London Craft Week.
“Craft has an intrinsic value to make the product conversational. The craft industry struggled greatly during the pandemic, and the artisans went through severe suffering. After the epidemic, India Craft Week was the only physical event last year, which gave artisans what they needed after a long break income, recognition, and orders. The India Craft Week, with a focus on “Good Stories Untold,” aims to bring stories from the craft sector and artisans who need to know and understand it rightly. It is intended to elevate the face of crafts which is still considered low-key.
Today world is talking about sustainability, responsible consumption, circularity, and ethics, but our craft sector has been practicing this for thousands of years. They are innovative, multifunctional, culturally related, sustainable, and have a timeless appeal. India Craft Week aims to connect modern customers, industry, and patrons with craftsmen, in a sense past with the present and future generations” says ItiTyagi, Founder of India Craft Week.
Through its curated experiences, Craft Village’s offspring ICW envision formulating a harmonious ecosystem of craft and the people who make it, connecting them with national and global opportunities. The idea was well received by designers, craft activists, and the social arms of the industry.
India Craft Week creates an ecosystem for weavers and artisanal communities. We too at AadyamHandwoven, a corporate social initiative of the Aditya Birla Group, work actively with weaver communities across India to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for the finest artisans by enabling infrastructure & nourishing their craft and thus impacting their quality of life. We engage with them to create evolved sensibilities for new markets & help them connect with contemporary consumers, and for which a like-minded platform such as ICW is an ideal collaborator at many levels” adds Manish Saksena, Lead, AadyamHandwoven.
This year India Craft Week will host its 5th and 6th edition International Craft Awards together to recognize and celebrate exceptional accomplishments worldwide, reiterating the message presented by the Craft Village team. With participation from more than8-nations, the winners of the Craft Awards would be announced at the event.
Vaishali said that initially she told the women about how to make organic and natural fibre products…reports Manoj Pathak
From waste to work of art…Fabrics, accessories made from banana trunk fibre are going global, thanks to hard work of 34-year-old Vaishali Priya.
Vaishali Priya, hailing from Bihar’s Vaishali district, is also teaching women the skills needed for the business, thus making them Aatmanirbhar.
Generally, after harvesting bananas, the trunk is cut, but Priya is not only extracting fibre from the waste trunk to make clothes but also making Yoga and table mats, baskets, among others.
The products made are being exported to the US too.
Vaishali, who has done fashion designing and used to work in an export factory where she learnt about making things of use from the banana fabric.
After that, she left the job, came back to her village and started working on making fabrics from the banana fibre.
Vaishali said she grew up watching people cultivating bananas. Earlier, the banana trunk used to be cut and thrown away, but now it is being used to make fabric, she said.
Vaishali said that initially she told the women about how to make organic and natural fibre products.
She said that she is being helped by the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra in the project.
Initially, Vaishali started her business with 30 women of Hariharpur village.
“When I began this business, I faced difficulties and criticism from many quarters, but today, seeing the dividends earned by me, more people are now associating with me,” Vaishali told.
Here, the women are told about the specifics of soaking, weaving and processing clothes.
Vaishali said that women from the comfort of their homes make ropes from the fibre and earn Rs 300-500 per day.
She said that she gets orders from various places and the people are appreciating her products.
Though right now products are yet to gain huge popularity, those who use them appreciate the effort and use, she claimed.
She said that for making better quality clothes, better techniques are now being used. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Hariharpur has provided the women working on the project with machines.
The second marvel was designer Varun Bahl’s Fall 2021 presentation titled ‘Modern/Mosaic’. Adding a dash of spunk, and lots of glamour, Bahl reinvents his signature floral inspired prints for the modern boho-bride…reports Nimerta C Sharan
Fashion without tradition is meaningless and impossible. You could call it a fashion coup or the big “love reveal”, a first in fashion as The Taj Mahal becomes the backdrop for designer-duo Falguni Shane Peacock’s couture offering at the digital edition of the India Couture Week 2021.
A collection of gown-style lehengas, trails and embellished veils detailed with the label’s signature feathers and intricate sequin embroidery were the stuff dreamy wedding ensembles are made of set in the magnificence of one of the world’s most renown Wonders. With a colour palette scaling from muted tones to pastels and deep hues, the bridal line has been completely hand-crafted by master artisans from the brand’s adopted villages. Bollywood star Shraddha Kapoor turned muse for the designers dressed in a exquisite deep-red lehenga adorned with crystals, beads and sequins. Styled with a scallop-bordered dupatta, Kapoor made for the perfect showstopper.
The second marvel was designer Varun Bahl’s Fall 2021 presentation titled ‘Modern/Mosaic’. Adding a dash of spunk, and lots of glamour, Bahl reinvents his signature floral inspired prints for the modern boho-bride. Known for blending classic with contemporary, the draped skirts and bralettes, embroidered jackets with power shoulders, peplum tops and playful skirts are just what you need to get the party started while keeping it stylish. “I’ve tried to simplify my designs and cuts to reduce the ritual of haute couture, and infuse them with a certain refreshing lightness,” said Bahl who features in the presentation.
Designer Reynu Tandon showcased her couture collection ‘Zuri’, which was an amalgamation of traditional design techniques and modern silhouettes with heavily embellished lehengas, mermaid-gowns and shararas on display. The designer roped in actress Chitrangda Singh to be part of her fashion film.
Veteran designer Anju Modi pays tribute to the power of generational legacy. Cultural traditions in the form of family heirlooms formed the theme of the ‘The Eternal Story’ collection…reports Tanya Banon.
India Couture Week is known for luxurious fashion, setting and themes. After a stellar line up of designers and fabulous fashion, the curtains finally came down on the digital edition of India Couture Week 2021. The Grand finale showcase was by Rahul Mishra, the first Indian designer to showcase at the Paris Haute Couture Week and a champion of slow fashion with traditional Indian crafts.
‘Kamkhab’ by Mishra, was a sequence of dreams woven together like a garland of artistic musing, emotions and instances that that we’ve subconsciously lived through. ‘Kam’ translates to ‘less’ and ‘khaab’ refers to a ‘dream’ — a collection developed during two lockdowns, the breaking and rebuilding of hope, resilience and the fluctuating strength of love.
The collection featured Mishra’s signature floral motifs, creating ensembles like bouquet of flowers with age-old techniques of hand embroidery, intricate details –interpreted for the world of today. Realised in fabrics such as silk organza, georgette, crepe and tissue along with Banarasi cutwork and Chanderi silk textiles, each piece made of love, craft, beauty, longevity and human touch, enabling the brand’s community of craftsmen and weavers from across the country. Much like a garden after the process of seeding-soaking its sun and water. Each sapling taking its own sweet time to produce flowers… the clothes, emerging out of a different verse of the same poem, each tell a different part of the same story.
Veteran designer Anju Modi pays tribute to the power of generational legacy. Cultural traditions in the form of family heirlooms formed the theme of the ‘The Eternal Story’ collection. Over the years Modi has dedicated her craft to the researching, reviving and reinventing age old textiles and herilooms. “Preserving our heritage and its unique craft legacy are the cornerstones on which our brand is built,” says the designer. The bridal line up featured lehengas, saris and skirts which showcased regional traditions beautifully merged into ensembles to be nurtured from generation to generation. ‘The Eternal Story’ is instinctive, almost as old as time itself.
Day 7 of the event also featured designer Kunal Rawal, who brings to life a collection of menswear full of spirited joie de vivre. ‘Vision Quest’ reflects on a carefree journey that continues beyond labels and roles, evolving identities and exhilarates in evolution. Recognised for his non-conformist and multifunctional approach towards design, Rawal presents a fresh take on contemporary silhouettes, intricately detailed embroideries, with a dynamic play on metallic tones.
Actress Sonam Kapoor played muse for this collection which featured menswear in subtle hues of blue, lilac, dusty salmon, whitish-pink, lemons, mint, sage, ivory, and gold. A variety of 60 unique styles handcrafted with soothing fabrics such as linen, jute linen, cotton, organza, and silk formed the backbone of the line-up. Focusing on intricate design elements, the collection uses techniques of French knotting, double layering, pleating, patchwork, and fraying to add a touch of super-luxe grunge to the pieces. The show also marked the launch of the label’s new junior line for boys aged 4-14 years.
